What should be documented if a patient has known allergies to latex or antiseptics?

• A. Document the allergy in the chart
• B. Notify the patient only
• C. Document the allergy in the chart and use alternative products per policy
• D. Label the specimen with allergy notes

Answer: (C)

Documenting a patient’s latex or antiseptic allergy in the chart and following the facility’s policy to use alternative products is the safest, most reliable approach. Recording the allergy makes it visible to every member of the care team, ensuring latex-free gloves, non-irritating antiseptics, and other appropriate supplies are used during every procedure. Merely notifying the patient isn’t enough to protect them, and labeling a specimen with allergy notes doesn’t inform all staff or prompt the use of alternatives. By combining chart documentation with policy-driven substitutions, you reduce the risk of an allergic reaction across all interactions.